When Cassadines Fall

Unexpected Guests

Stefan wakes abruptly and fully alert as is his fashion. He leans up on one arm to examine his sleeping companion. He bends over and presses a kiss to one freckle and then to another.

In a voice muffled by her pillow a feminine voice protests. "If you keep that up we'll never get out of bed."

"Isn't there a child's game... something about connecting the dots?"

"Haha. You're a riot. Make fun of my plight. I step outside and twenty more show up. And in Africa..." A shudder goes through her that has nothing to do with her freckle plight and everything to do with Stefan running his finger down the middle of her back and tracing the dimples at the base of her spine. KC turns over in bed one hand holding the sheet to her bosom and the other tossing her hair back out of her face. "You know I never took you for a game player... more of a guy in need of surgery himself."

"Oh... what surgery would that be?"

"The one to remove the stick up your butt."

Stefan is momentarily startled by the vulgar answer and a chuckle slips by him. "Dr. Ryan..." Stefan says in mock serious tones. "... there is a time and place for everything."

"So I guess this means that the operating theater over at the hospital is out." KC says sadly.

"Yes. And Conference room tables. Most forms of public transportation. I'm afraid I am really quite a conventional gentleman."

"What about stables... ever done it in a hayloft?" KC rolls up on one arm so she is matching Stefan's posture and looking at him face to face. Stefan smiles. "You have! Admit it!"

"Is this some midwest farmer's daughter fantasy?" Stefan instead replies.

"They can be private."

"Yes, they can be."

"I knew it." KC launches forward pressing Stefan back against the bed. She straddles him, her hair falling forward. She plants her hands on either side of his head on the pillow. Stefan slides his hands low on her hips inching the sheet down. "I guess you're not such a conventional gentleman afterall." She presses an open mouth kiss to his lips. Stefan's hand comes up to cup the back of her neck. She cups his face with one of her hands. With eyes still closed she takes a ragged breath and murmurs. "Don't ever shave this off."

"Why?" Stefan growls.

"I like it. It tickles." Stefan reads the suggestive glint in her eye. The hand on the back of her neck increase pressure bringing her back to him, until she is pressed up against him. While KC is on top there will be no doubt as to who has the upper hand. And then the phone rings. "Oh you have got to be kidding me?! Who would be calling now? It's 6am."

"Someone who knows I am in all likelihood awake and wouldn't think that I might have a companion." Stefan reaches over to the phone. "Yes, Nikolas?" Stefan uses the time while listening to Nikolas to pet KC. Stroking his hand down her arm. "I will return to Port Charles soon. I will email my ETA."

"Your nephew?" KC asks after Stefan hangs up.

"Yes. He has taken to keeping early hours in recent days." Stefan says absently.

"A girl?"

Stefan allows a small grin. "Yes. And you'll get to meet her once we are in Port Charles."

"Consultation." KC reminds. "That's all it is. Especially now. I don't sleep with my bosses. It sets a bad example."

"I am familiar with the concepts of sexual harassment and discrimination..."

"I'd hope so with you being the boss of the hospital." KC wryly interrupts. "It's kind of your job description."

"...And this isn't it." Stefan continues. "You were... unexpected."

"Yeah, you didn't think you'd have to give it up to get me to go to Port Charles. What would have you done if I was a 50 year old guy?"

Sonny reviews the books for Luke's club. Luke has made a hash of them as usual. No matter how many times Jason and he talked to Luke about claiming cigars as a business expense it never seemed to get through. But Claude had been keeping good numbers in the last week. Sonny stares off into the distance and then laughs out loud.

Jason knocks once and then comes in to the penthouse in time to hear the laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Last night. The basketball game."

"What Rita? She did well." Sonny is already shaking his head. Jason goes to the alternative explanation. "Oh you mean Father Frank winning that bet with Mike."

"Serves him right betting on a junior high girls basketball game." Sonny grins.

"What was the bet anyway?"

"I was trying to not pay attention. But what I got... it was when the Angels were down during the third quarter. Mike made a bet with the Padre. If he lost he had to call bingo for the next month."

Jason winces. "Mike hates calling Bingo. All the blue haired ladies hit on him."

"Then he shouldn't have bet." Sonny retorts. "He bet a priest and against the home team. We were there to see the condition of the gym not be setting up a racket."

"They were getting clobbered. Rita would never have gotten into the game if the other team hadn't taken out that guard. They knocked the kid out cold. Who knew that Rita would do so well?"

Sonny snorts. "I've seen street fights that were more civilized." He shakes his head. "Who knew is right. So much for the fairer sex."

"Evidently quite a few. The place was packed. Carly and AJ were there. The Judge, Cookie, Johnny and Emily."

"The kid is bringing her own cheering section."

"My former tenant came up to talk to me at halftime." Jason says out of nowhere. "Finally gave me a straight name as if I hadn't already figured."

"Robideau's kid?" Sonny had already been filled in by Jason when Ricky moved into the room over the motorcycle shop. "Is he heading back to New Orleans now that Larkin's in the can?"

"Nope. That's why he stopped me. He's extending his stay in town."

Sonny frowns. "Pick him up. I'll call his father. I wanna know what the hell is going on."

Dara stares at the phone not picking it up but instead screens her call. Ever since the hostage situation she'd been getting calls-- from the cops, from the courts, from the media. So much for an unlisted number.

"Dara, this is Justus.... Again. We need to talk about when you'll be coming back to work. Call me."

"Are you going to take him up on it?" Taggart asks as he adjusts his tie and shrugs into his jacket. He has to testify today so it was court uniform time.

"I don't know." Dara sighs. "Is it flattering that he is calling me or is he just pulling a CYA again to get me to not sue?" Dara walks over and adjusts Taggart's tie just a bit. "What is going on with Larkin?"

"The Feds are making noises about moving him." Taggart says grimly.

"Oh no. I don't like that one at all." Dara protests shaking her head.

"Jurisdictional issues, babe. Fair trial all that. He did pull a gun on the prosecutor, top judge and the finest lawyer in Port Charles." Taggart rests his hands on Dara's hips pulling her closer to him. She slides her hands down his shoulders resting them on his forearms.

"Yeah, and Alexis was there too."

"Yeah, I was going to mention her eventually." Taggart agrees with a grin. The smile falls away. "You don't have to go back to work."

Dara stiffens and tries to read Marcus' face. "I am really not the soaps and bonbon type. And if this house were any cleaner we could eat off the floor."

"You could go private... or you could run for Justus' job in the next election. You've got my endorsement. You don't have to decide right now. Even if you decide to go back to the DA's office... make them sweat. Ward deserves at least that much. What are you going to do today? Head over to L&B?"

Dara nods. "I'm meeting Maddy this afternoon but V called me and wants to go to lunch. She drives me nuts but..."

"She's good people. Could be worse. Could be Lucy Coe trying to get you to perform at the Nurse's Ball." Taggart teases.

Dara shudders. "Never again. I think before I go to see V though I'm going to go have a chat with FBI Special Agent in Charge Ford." Dara says grimly. "If they think they are going to make this go away, they are sadly mistaken."

"You want company?" Taggart can get behind that one. He hadn't seen Ford since Garcia and Mac had kicked him out of the station the day of the situation.

"No. You have court. When I'm ready for the big guns believe me I'll call."

"You'd better." Taggart kisses her goodbye and then heads for the door. Dara follows him latching the door after.

Cookie stalks off of the elevator looking around briefly at the landing of the penthouse floor of the Harborview Towers. She spies Francis standing guard outside of one of the doors and strides over. "Get out of my way."

"I need to know what your bus..."

"Do you know who I am?" Cookie snarls. "Either move or I'll go through you."

"Yes, ma'am. That's why I can't let you in."

"You tell that chicken shit Don you work for to either open up that God Damn door or they will be picking pieces of you out of the river." Cookie raises her voice loud enough to be heard through the door.

Sonny goes over to the door and opens it. He sees Francis blocking the door and Johnny's irate mother. "Mrs. Porter."

"You and me are going to have words. Right fucking now."

"It's okay, Francis." Francis slides to the side hugging the wall carefully.

As Cookie passes him she grinds a knuckle into his breast bone watching him wince. "Get a damn vest or get another line of work. You're a standing target." She stalks into the living room of the penthouse right past Sonny. Jason has risen to his feet from the sectional. Ricky also stands up. Cookie points at Ricky. "You outta here now!"

"Look Cookie, it's cool. I just have to check in."

"So you've checked in. Now I want to talk to Mr. Corinthos and Mr. Morgan in private."

Ricky looks over at Sonny who nods and then Ricky shrugs. "Later."

Cookie waits until Sonny shuts the door after Ricky. She positions herself so she can see both of the men by the bar next to the desk. "Ricky is not part of your God Damn organization. You don't fucking fetch him when you want to have a chat. He's got nothing to do with your business and it's going to stay that way."

"Ricky is the son of Pete Robideau.. there are certain..."

Cookie interrupts. "While Ricky is in Port Charles you can consider him the son of Judge JD Porter. If you come near one of his kids again.... You won't be dealing with Robideau. You'll be dealing with JD. And you'll be dealing with me. The only business you need to be discussing with any of my kids-- Johnny, Rita and yes, Ricky too, can be done in a Public place with plenty of witnesses. Comprende?"

"Yes ma'am." Sonny says smoothly.

Cookie stalks to the door. She turns at the last minute and gives Sonny a little bit. "You're a good customer at the restaurant. Lets keep it to that. My son spent enough days covering your ass. Covering both of your asses. Moreno almost destroyed Johnny's restaurant cause of my son's association with you. Leave us out it. We've already paid our dues."

Jason is about to protest Cookie's verbal barrage but is waved silent by Sonny. "You have." Sonny agrees. "We'll be at the restaurant on Sunday."

"Fine." Cookie leaves shutting the door behind her.

"She can't talk to you that way." Jason protests.

"She's a mother protecting her kids. I got no beef with her. Any bets Taggart gets it worse if he pulls the kid in?" Sonny quips to lighten the mood.

Jason smiles for the first time. "Oh I'd even be willing to get arrested to see that one. That lady is wicked with everyone but Grandmother says she saves her special tirades for those she considers idiots-- and Taggart...."

"Idiot." They both say together and laugh.

Outside of the Harborview Towers Ricky is leaning up against Cookie's car that is parked in the fire lane. He straightens when she comes out of the building already reaching for her keys. "Look Lady, I know you are like the resident badass in this town but you don't mind my business!"

"You think that was about you? Please! My husband is a Judge in this town. What you do doesn't just reflect on your father it reflects on JD too. Neither of them want you in the business. So just Fucking deal with it. That's what I'm doing."

"I didn't ask for this crap." Ricky snarls.

"Yeah, life's a bitch. There are people in your corner. Deal with it."

"I didn't ask for your help. I don't need your help."

"No, you don't. That doesn't mean you aren't going to get it. Now are you through trying to tear me a new one? I left Rita at the restaurant with Frank and I need to get over there before she kills him."

"Just go." Ricky throws up his hands in disgust.

Cookie climbs into her car and starts up the engine. She rolls down her window. "I'm telling Rita to put you down for a six o'clock reservation. But it's Friday night. If you aren't there within 15 of that she'll give your table away." Cookie pulls away without waiting for a response.

"Are all the women in this town nuts?" Ricky asks aloud before heading toward his car. Deciding to risk the exposure he heads toward the court house. Maybe the Judge will be a little more reasonable. He had to get his wife to back off or I'm so outta here. Whatever Dad has to say.

Dara makes her way to Ford's office. Since the outcome of her trial he'd moved his office back to another building rather than be in the courthouse complex where if there was any justice in the world the guy would have been treated like a total pariah. Kinda like she had been while under their microscope. She'd dressed for this little call with a specific intent--jeans, boots, a heavy cable sweater over a turtleneck, and a ski type jacket. Just a little reminder for Ford that she wasn't in work gear because of him and his partner. She announces her name to the secretary. She reads the woman's face and sees that Ford is going to try to duck her. So she walks to the door and in without being authorized through.

"Hey! You can't do that!" The secretary hops up in protest trying to block her. She turns to Ford who is standing behind his desk the phone still in his hand. He hangs up the phone. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Ford waves a hand. He sees Dara's outfit and winces as Dara intended. "I've actually been expecting Ms. Jensen." The secretary glares at Dara and then goes back to her desk. Dara enters and shuts the door behind her. "Is this where I eat crow?" He asks wryly.

Dara rubs two fingers together. "You know what this is? World's smallest violin playing my heart bleeds for you."

"I deserved that." Ford admits.

"That and so much more."

"Well if paybacks are a bitch then you'll be happy to know that I'm under investigation."

"Still at work through, aren't you? Doesn't feel too good, does it? Knowing you haven't done anything wrong and getting screwed over for it anyway!"

"I had no idea." Ford protests. "Larkin has... had a good reputation. An excellent closure rate."

"Well if he wasn't good at what he did then he wouldn't have $3.2 million in the bank now would he?"

Ford winces. "I don't know how many times I can say it. I had no idea."

"You know something I hate worse than crooks? Dirty cops." Dara answers her own question. "It makes it tougher for the rest of us. But I'm not of the school of sweeping them under the rug. I think that compounds the problem. Frankly, I think they need to be drawn and quartered in the public square to restore the public trust. You aren't going to try to cover up this thing with Larkin are you? Cause trust me. It's not going to happen.
I've had some time on my hands. A little time to do research. You know what I found out? The minority leader in the house on the judiciary committee... you know the guys who arrange the money to keep the FBI going and sign off on high level appointments... He was one of Judge Porter's professors back in law school. I bet they still exchange Christmas cards. They seemed kind of tight in the picture I saw of them together in the online Alumni news letter."

Ford blanches. "Look I'm not exactly the one in a position to do anything about that. Those decision are made further up the chain. My word doesn't carry much weight right now. You don't know... I don't know what Larkin knows. It might further justice to work him rather than lock him up."

"I've heard that one before, I've suggested that one before. But not with a guy like Larkin. From a prosecutor's standpoint he's already proven himself impeachable. Anything he knows is worth less than organic fertilizer."

The phone rings. "I have to take this." Ford picks up the phone. "Ford. Yeah, yeah." Ford goes over to a bulletin board behind his desk where a world map is located. He traces a path from Toronto down. "When did the RCMP lose them? How many? Any surveillance before? Send me what you've got. I'll farm it out to the locals." Ford hangs up the phone and concentrates on the map momentarily forgetting Dara is in the room.

"Drugs?" Ford starts at Dara's question.

"I wish." He replies grimly.

"Terrorists?"

"Illegal Aliens."

"That's INS not the FBI."

"Multi jurisdictional taskforce. And the reason why I'm not off on administrative leave. I was working this before Larkin even came to town. INS will take care of the poor souls. The FBI is after the ring leaders who are bringing them in. We think it's the same group as was using the container ships in LA."

"Those people died." Dara protests horrified remembering the news story. "INS opened up the containers and half the people locked in there were dead and the rest would have been."

"Someone tipped the leaders. They were never going to show up to let the cargo out. LA got too hot. Now they are looking for another port in. They are making too much money to stop now."

Dara goes over to the map standing beside Ford. "You think they're coming here."

"It's perfect. Small International Port... big enough to handle the traffic but small enough to not draw notice, or rather where law enforcement is thin. And if you think the mob is tight..." Ford smiles grimly. "They have nothing on these guys. We can't get in the oriental community cause we stand out like sore thumbs. What Asian resources the FBI has are spread even thinner. Any intelligence I get I have to funnel through New York, or Quantico. It'll take years before we'll have the staff... maybe never."

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